Welcome to the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library

Library Refurbishment and Closure 19 July - 5 September 2017

The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (VWML) is very excited to announce that its main reading room is to undergo a major refurbishment this summer to create a better space for users to discover and explore the English folk arts.

Cecil Sharp’s Appalachian Diaries: 1915-1918

Cecil James Sharp (1859-1924) was England's most prolific folk music and dance collector in what is now widely known as the First Folk Revival. His North American collection is regarded as a landmark in folk music fieldwork. Explore Sharp's only surviving personal diaries, in which he describes his collecting experiences in the Appalachian Mountains between 1915 and 1918.

Traditional Tunes and Popular Airs : History and Transmission

Researchers have long been fascinated by the recurrence of tunes in all manner of musical styles and genres, performance contexts, levels of society, historical periods, and geographical locations. But how are we to understand this phenomenon?

Maps

Are you interested in local history, folk songs and tunes? Would you like to explore the folk songs and tunes that were collected locally to you, and around the world? Click here, and let the search begin!

Help

Frequently asked questions about using the Library and exploring the collections.

How to get here

Cecil Sharp House – home to the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (VWML) and the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) is positioned in the heart of London. Discover the best way to reach us.

Support us

Shape the Future: support Cecil Sharp House - home to the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Please consider making a contribution today. Any gift, large or small, really will make a difference.

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